It's not Axle Wrap

Hello Gents,

I see many complaints on here about a rear-end-like thud upon stopping. It is 100% NOT axle wrap. Your transmission is LOW on fluid.

I've had my Tacoma for almost 10 years now, my friend has had his 3rd gen for several. We BOTH had our cooler lines rot and leak. Since we don't have the luxury of a dipstick, one does not know when fluid is low... except when the transmission can't downshift as you come to a stop, due to lack of pressure. Once pressure returns during the stop, the ECU violently shifts into gear.

I have not seen this addressed anywhere so I figured I would make a thread.

 

Thanks for the tip
Too bad you are not a lepper

 

Dunno what to think about this. We bought our Tacoma, brand spanking new, in 2005. It has had that thump since day one, currently has 118K + miles.
I hardly ever notice it anymore. If the trans fluid is low, that's exactly how it left the factory back in 2005.

 

18k miles or not, you have never even checked the fluid level? It’s been 20 years, maybe it’s worth the 15 minutes

 

I have read reports on here about the transmission being low on fluid from the factory. It wouldn't hurt to check although it is a bit of a pain..

 

Point taken, guys. It's something I have avoided after reading what a PITA it can be. That said, it's an even bigger PITA to take it to the nearest dealer.

 

There are many causes with the same symptoms - consider the many causes.of various vibrations that all feel similar or the same from the driver's seat.

Saying "100%" is rather broad, and conflicts with the direct experiences of others, such as myself. I'm glad you found your issue, but your issue is not the same as 100% of issues.

 

Does your "100%" include trucks with manual transmissions?

 

I agree with the above. This is a good idea to share, but painting it at 100% solution is just false. Source: Me, had clunk, never checked trans fluid, clunk go away after lifting with full leaf pack and re-greasing driveshaft slip yoke.

 

Mine is potentially toast carrier bearing. Theres probably some wrap. Thats what leafs do.

it’s not low on fluid. It’s manual.

 

With no leaks where did the fluid go? The tranny is a closed system. Now if it was never completely full from build date I could see it being low.(as many have mentioned theirs being low from the factory).

 

Do manual transmissions shift via ECU ?

 

He said their cooler lines leaked, so that’s where his went.

 

By the time cooler lines have rotted the frame is often about done for.

How's yours?

 

My 06 was low from the factory. My 14 was not. I checked both because of the known issue.

 

Did you assume "rear-end like thud upon stopping" happens only when shifting?

 

Mine was completely replaced under warranty in 2019. We live in the rust belt and commute on a highway that sees a lot of liquid salt (worse than dry salt imo). The cooler lines are aluminum so they are very susceptible to corrosion. My friend had not gotten an oil spray for a couple years and you can tell ! I had mine done back in the summer.

 

What are you on about? I've not made any assumptions - I am talking about Automatic 5 speed! I am just sharing a solution to an issue that many here have complained about. If I had listened to you and the others on here whom suggested it was normal (when clearly it isn't ) I would have ruined my transmission. So excuse me for trying to inform others, especially when many trucks left the factory low on fluid!
Btw, I'm talking about a violent thud. Not a little binding in the driveline from axle wrap or a yoke. There is a huge difference.

 

Glad you found your issue, but I think the point some are trying to make is that there are multiple possible reasons for a "thud" when stopping. It's not 100% due to low fluid. Axle wrap is a real thing, but not always the issue, just like low transmission fluid is not always the issue.

 

Axle wrap and binding driveline thud is not even comparable to the transmission slamming into gear. Surely a bit of a thud which I have experienced myself before I rebuilt my DS. But a tranny dropping thud? No. I described the symptoms rather specifically... "transmission can't downshift due to lack of pressure".. Does axle wrap prevent the automatic transmission from downshifting? No. Would a binding driveline? No. Lots of trucks were shipped from the factory low on fluid because the engine needs to be running to ensure proper fluid level...

It is 100% low fluid and I double down on my call. Maybe folks should read the whole post before picking it apart.